In the run-up to my 'robot massage' I was filled with a vague feeling of fear and considered canceling. I kept having visions of the machine malfunctioning and pummeling me to death - but the lure of a free test massage proved too strong.
While I was mildly terrified, I was quite intrigued to know how much knot-busting potential these machines had. And the idea of not having to chit-chat to a masseuse throughout the experience and be free to fully relax was also a draw.
Those are two of the main selling points touted by Aescape - the company behind the pioneering tech which runs 10 massage machines in New York.
I booked a 30-minute massage (priced at $60) via the Aescape app at the Equinox gym in Soho. From the reception, I was shown to the massage room which is located in the spa area of the swanky gym.
"Already I was uneasy," said Sadie Whitelocks, who checked in for a 30-minute knot-busting session with one of Aescape's ten machines currently operational in New York.
After tying my hair up, I took the plunge and lay down on the table in my tight-fitting workout leggings and T-shirt. An iPad-sized touch screen above my head ran me through what was happening. Before the massage begins, you can adjust bolster, headrest, and armrest positioning to fit your body—an upgrade from standard tables with their one-size-fits-all approach.
The next step was a body scan. While wearing clothes, it felt naked as infrared sensors produced a 3D model of my body. Aescape says this generates over 1.1 million data points mapping key anatomical positions for targeted massages.
"It all felt like being abducted by aliens," Sadie described her initial reaction amidst robotic sounds and spaceship-like lights hovering overhead.
A picture showing muscles popped up on-screen—a Body Worlds exhibit likeness revealing nuts-and-bolts beneath skin layers once scanned; we were off! With Aescape machine options available such as selecting music instead traditional wind chimes soundscapes—I chose Ibiza-esque 'beach house' tunes instead!
"Everything seemed well—the pressure perfect since selecting harder touch,” Sadie noted before things went awry when suddenly malfunctions occurred causing anxiety spikes mid-session...
At random points during sessions restarting became necessary due technical issues leading heightened stress levels while pinned down briefly until stopping/restarting easily resolved situation quickly enough though ending prematurely opting gym visit afterward instead completing full-time allotment originally intended earlier plan-wise overall nonetheless still offering perks like accessing normally exclusive member-only facilities otherwise unavailable typically unless paying higher fees monthly usually exceeding $200 often elsewhere comparatively speaking generally speaking ultimately however following escapade conversing directly representatives revealed clothing choice responsible malfunction occurrence initially overlooked memo suggesting specific apparel worn future visits ensuring optimal performance results achieved consistently thereafter henceforth accordingly subsequently deciding retry attempt another occasion scheduling appointment Lower East Side location nearby similarly 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